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Feline Diabetes: Signs and Symptoms

By: Kurt Schmitt. Feline diabetes can affect cats of any age, either female or male, but over weight older males are at higher risk. Symptoms will vary depending upon the type and severity of the disease.

Excessive thirst (polydipsia) is a classic sign of the disease as is excessive urination (polyuria). In the early stages, however, your cat may show no symptoms at all.

In addition to polyuria and polydipsia, progressive symptoms may include an increase in appetite, while at the same time losing weight.

In addition, sick cats may develop lethargy. They may also become weak in the hind legs due to a condition known as diabetic neuropathy.

Untreated cats may experience increasingly more severe symptoms. These may include vomiting, dehydration, and subsequent loss of appetite. Over time, affected cats may develop poor hair coat, secondary infections, and liver disease.

Additional symptoms can be brought on if a cat develops diabetic ketoacidosis. This is a potentially fatal condition that may cause breathing problems, weakness, vomiting and diarrhea.

Over weight cats who get limited activity are at higher risk, so ensure that your cat gets plenty of exercise and doesn't over eat. Keeping your cat's weight down and activity level up will help reduce the effects of the disease. With treatment, feline diabetes is usually a very manageable disease.

Article Source: http://www.lifeweightloss.com

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